Portable Fence Device

ABSTRACT

A portable fence device for blocking projectiles, such as stones and other debris. The portable fence device includes a pair of end poles and one or more support poles, wherein the lower end of each pole includes a tripod base so as to support each pole in a vertical position. The legs of the tripod base are pointed so as to allow the tripod base to penetrate the ground. The device further includes a net having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is retractably secured to the first end pole and the second side is secured to the second end pole. The net is extended by separating the end poles. The net further includes one or more channels in which a support pole is inserted so as to provide support to the length of the net.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/985,570 filed on Apr. 29, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to portable fence devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a portable fence comprising a pair of end poles having a net extended therebetween. The net comprises one or more channels in which one or more support poles are inserted. The first side of the net is retractably secured to the first end pole and the second side of the net is secured to second end pole. The net is adapted to be extended by separating the first end pole from the second end pole. The lower end of the pair of end poles and the support poles each comprise a tripod base adapted to support each pole in a vertical position. The legs of the tripod base are pointed so as to allow the tripod base to penetrate the ground. The tripod base further includes a ledge that extends therefrom and is adapted to allow a user to apply his or her body weight when pushing the pole into the ground.

Many people that care for lawns use various bladed equipment, such as lawnmowers and trimmers. The blades on such equipment will often hit a stone or other debris located on the lawn, causing the stone or debris to launch into the air at a high velocity. Therefore, individuals in the vicinity of the lawn care equipment in use are at risk of being struck and injured. This risk is difficult for a person caring for a lawn to address because it is not always possible to see a stone or a stick that is deeply embedded within a patch of grass. These projectiles can also cause damage to buildings or cars, as well as injure an individual. Repairing or providing compensation for damaging an object or injuring an individual is a financial burden. Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for a device that is adapted to protect surrounding objects and individuals from projectiles launched from bladed lawn care equipment, in addition to operating as a portable fence.

It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing portable fence devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of portable fence devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new portable fence device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when blocking projectiles, such as stones and other debris.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable fence device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable fence device comprising a net, a first end pole, and a second end pole, wherein the first side of the net is retractably secured to the first end pole and a second side of the net is secured to the second end pole.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable fence device wherein a curved section is removably secured to the upper end of the first end pole and the second end pole so as to create an overhang that assists in preventing projectiles from bypassing the device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable fence device having a net with one or more channels adapted to receive one or more support poles therein in order to provide support to the length of the net.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable fence device wherein the lower end of each pole includes a tripod base, wherein the legs of the tripod base are pointed so as to allow the tripod base to penetrate the ground.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable fence device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable fence device.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the first end pole and a perspective view of the second end pole of the portable fence device.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tripod base and the lower end of a pole of the portable fence device.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the curved section of the portable fence device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the portable fence device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for blocking projectiles, such as stones and other debris. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable fence device. The portable fence device 11 comprises a pair of end pole 13, 14 and one or more support poles 12 positioned therebetween, wherein the lower end of each pole 12 includes a tripod base 16. The tripod bases 16 support the first end pole 13, the second end pole 14, and the support poles 12 in a vertical orientation. The portable fence device 11 further includes a net 15 having a first side 19 and a second side 20, wherein the first side 19 is retractably secured to the first end pole 13 and the second side 20 is secured to the second end pole 14. The net 15 is adapted to block projectiles, such as stones and other debris, from passing beyond the device 11. The upper end of each end pole 13 includes a curved section 17 adapted to create an overhang that assists in preventing projectiles from bypassing the device 11.

The net 15 further comprises one or more channels 18 in which a support pole 12 is inserted. Each channel 18 is vertically oriented and parallel to the first side 19 and the second side 20 of the net 15. The channel 18 includes an opening disposed on the lower end, wherein a support pole 12 is adapted to be inserted and disposed therein. The support pole 12 provides support and stability to the net 15. The upper end of the channel 18 is closed so as to prevent the support pole 12 from extending through the upper end of the net 15. The channels 18 are spaced at a fixed interval along the net 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the net 15 comprises a single channel 18 disposed between the first side 19 and the second side 20 thereof. However, in other embodiments, multiple channels 18 are provided in order to extend the length of the net 15 and allow a support pole 12 to be disposed therein to provide stability thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross sectional view of the first end pole and a perspective view of the second end pole of the portable fence device. The net 15 is adapted to extend from the first pole 13 by separating the first end pole 13 from the second end pole 14. As the end poles 13, 14 are separated, the net 15 becomes extended. The first end pole 13 comprises an elongated vertical slot from which the net 15 extends. The interior of the first end pole 13 houses a retracting mechanism 30 adapted to retract and extend the net 15.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retracting mechanism 30 comprises a spool 26, wherein the end of the net 15 is secured thereto and adapted to wrap around the spool 26 in a stored configuration. The spool 26 comprises a first bushing 27 and a second bushing 27 disposed at opposite ends of thereof. The retracting mechanism 30 further comprises an elongated, helical return spring 28 disposed within the spool 26 and a vertical rod 36 disposed in the center thereof. The vertical rod 36 extends through the length of the spool 26 and the interior diameter of the bushings 27, wherein the ends of the vertical rod 36 are secured to the upper and lower ends of the first end pole 13. In this way, the vertical rod 36 is stationary, wherein the bushings 27 are adapted to allow the spool 26 to rotate around the vertical rod 36. The vertical rod 36 is attached to the first end pole 13 by any suitable fastener, such as screws.

The end of the return spring 28 is secured to the vertical rod 36 and the opposing end of the spring 28 is secured to the spool 26. Any suitable fastener can be used to secure the spring 28 to the spool 26 and vertical rod 36, such as screws. Consequently, when the spool 26 is rotated relative to the vertical rod 36 in an appropriate direction, the spring 28 becomes tensioned so as to exert a biasing force tending to return the spool 26 to its unbiased position. In other embodiments, the retracting mechanism 30 can comprise any suitable configuration so long as the net 15 is adapted to retract within a pole 12. In some embodiments, there is a locking mechanism to prevent the retracting mechanism 30 from retracting. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the net 15 remains extended by anchoring the end poles 13, 14 and the support poles to the ground via the tripod base.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the tripod base and the lower end of a pole of the portable fence device. The lower end of each pole 12 includes a threaded channel 31 adapted to receive a screw 35 secured to the upper end of the tripod base 16. The screw 35 is vertically oriented and removably disposed within the threaded channel 31. The tripod base 16 further includes a ledge 34 adapted to allow a user to apply his or her body weight when pushing the pole 12 into the ground. The tripod base 16 further comprises a plurality of legs 32, wherein the legs 32 are disposed beneath the ledge 34. The legs 32 are pointed so as to allow the tripod base 16 to penetrate the ground. The position of the legs 32 is adapted to be adjusted by a knob 33 disposed on the exterior of the tripod base 16. The knob 33 is adapted to turn, wherein the legs 32 adjust outwardly to a horizontal position as the knob 33 is turned. The knob 33 is adapted to turn in the opposing direction, wherein the legs 32 adjust inwardly to a vertical position as the knob 33 is turned. In this way, the legs 32 are adapted to be positioned in a compact configuration for storage or positioned for operation.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of the curved section of the portable fence device. The curved section 17 of the portable fence device comprises a pair of curved members 29 and a top net 37 disposed therebetween, wherein the curved members 29 are removably secured to the pair of end poles 13, 14. The top net 37 is disposed between the pair of curved members 29 and creates the overhang that assists in preventing projectiles from bypassing the device. The top net 37 is secured to the first curved member 29 and second curved 29 by any suitable fastener, such as adhesive or screws. The length of the top net 37 is preferably the same as the length of the net disposed between the end poles 13, 14. In some embodiments, the top net 37 is retractably secured to the first curved member 29, wherein the first curved member 29 comprises a retracting mechanism therein. The curved member 29 comprises a base 30 having an opening adapted to accept the upper end of an end pole 13 therein. The dimension of the opening is the same as the dimension of the upper end of the end pole 13 in order for the end pole 13 to fit securely therein. The curved section 17 is adapted to be removed for storing the device in a compact configuration.

In operation, the curved section is removably secured to the first end pole and the second end pole. The first end pole is then separated from the second end pole, wherein the net extends from the retracting mechanism disposed in the first end pole. The support poles are disposed within the channels of the net providing support thereto. The tripod base is then screwed onto each pole and removably secured to a horizontal surface.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A portable fence device, comprising: a first end pole and a second end pole, wherein said first end pole and said second end pole are vertically oriented; one or more support poles, wherein said one or more support poles are vertically oriented and disposed between said first end pole and said second end pole; wherein each of said first end pole, said second end pole, and said one or more support poles are removably secured to a tripod base adapted to rest on a horizontal surface; a net retractably secured to said first end pole and secured to said second end pole; wherein said net comprises one or more elongated channels, wherein said one or more elongated channels comprise an open lower end and a closed upper end adapted to receive one of said one or more support poles therein; a retracting mechanism disposed in said first end pole, such that a first side of said net is retractably secured to said first end pole and a second side of said net is secured to said second end pole. 2) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein said tripod base comprises a ledge on which pressure can be applied so as to drive said tripod base into said horizontal surface. 3) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein said tripod base comprises a plurality of pointed legs adapted to penetrate said horizontal surface. 4) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein said tripod base comprises a plurality of legs and a knob disposed on an exterior of said tripod base, wherein said knob is adapted to adjust the position of said plurality of legs. 5) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein a lower end of each of said first end pole, said second end pole, and said one or more support poles comprise a threaded channel removably secured to a screw vertically extended from an upper surface of said tripod base. 6) The portable fence device of claim 1, further comprising a curved section comprising a first curved member, a second curved member, and a top net disposed between said first curved member and said second curved member, wherein said first curved member is removably secured to an upper end of said first end pole and said second curved member is removably secured to said second end pole adapted to create an overhang. 7) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein said one or more elongated channels are spaced at fixed intervals. 8) The portable fence device of claim 1, wherein said retracting mechanism comprises a vertical rod, wherein said vertical rod is anchored between an upper end of said first end pole and a lower end of said first end pole, such that said vertical rod is stationary; a spool, wherein an end of said net is secured to said spool, such that said net can be wrapped around said spool in a stored configuration; a spring comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is operably connected to said spool and said second end is operably connected to said vertical rod so as to provide tension on said spool such that said net is biased in said stored configuration. 9) The portable fence device of claim 8, wherein said spool further comprises a first bushing and a second bushing, wherein said first bushing is secured to an upper end of said spool and a second bushing is secured to a lower end of said spool, wherein said vertical rod extends through an inner diameter of said first bushing and said second bushing, such that said spool can rotate around said vertical rod. 